This dynamic course is designed to ensure all students are prepared for NCEA and to be lifelong learners. Students learn to process and present ideas with understanding and confidence through exposure to classic and contemporary texts from Aotearoa and the world. The course develops students’ reading and writing skills to support literacy and offers a range of assessment opportunities to ensure that students become effective oral, written and visual communicators. Individual student need is met through differentiation in a diverse mixed ability setting with assessment and feedback designed to meet student need and clearly monitor progress against the New Zealand Curriculum.

This course is designed to develop student’s understanding of Mathematics and Statistics. The topics covered during the year include Number, Measurement, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics and Probability. AsTTle testing, classroom assessments and end of year examinations are used to diagnose students learning needs and to prepare them for Year 10.

Social Sciences at Rutherford College builds on the foundations that students have gained in their previous schools. Our Akonga are given the opportunity to learn at great deal more about Aotearoa and the wider world in which they live. They study the events that have defined and driven our history and that of the world. Students are also taught the skills and abilities they need to succeed in the wide variety of subjects they study across the school. As a department we look to ensure that we reinforce and build literacy and numeracy skills, essential for long term success. Above all, we ensure that are students are taught a curriculum that is dynamic, informative and fun!

The Year 9 Science course is designed to introduce and engage students in understanding the world around them from a scientific perspective. The year begins with an introduction to the laboratory topic. Students learn about the scientific method and how to work safely in the lab, introducing them to some of the equipment that is commonly used for practical work. Following this, topics cover areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, giving a broad base to build on in future years. The course is designed to stimulate student interest by encouraging thinking and giving hands-on experience through practical activities, along with enhancing student’s literacy and numeracy skills.

Health and Physical education focuses on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people, and of society. Through learning and by accepting challenges in health related and movement contexts, students reflect on the nature of wellbeing and how to promote it. The key learning areas covered are: physical activity, sport studies, values based learning, interpersonal skills, Hauora, anti-bullying, sexuality education, body care and decision making.

​This is an introduction course to Chinese language. The content of the course focuses on communication of basic personal information through speaking and writing basic Chinese. The course also will introduce the students to Chinese writing and pronunciation systems. Students are expected to introduce themselves and some basic personal information in spoken and written texts in Chinese. Cultural aspects are also an integral part of the course.

This is an introduction course to German language. The content of the course focuses on communication of basic personal information through speaking and writing basic simple German texts as well as understanding basic oral and written texts in German. Students are expected to introduce themselves and some basic personal information in spoken and written texts in German. Cultural aspects are also an integral part of the course.

This is an introduction course to Japanese language. The content of the course focuses on communication of basic personal information through speaking and writing basic Japanese. The course also will introduce the students to Japanese writing and pronunciation systems. Students are expected to introduce themselves and some basic personal information in spoken and written texts in Japanese. Cultural aspects are also an integral part of the course.

​This course concentrates on the creative aspects of Drama. Students will confidently be able to create their own performances using Drama techniques, elements and conventions. The course promotes communication skills, group collaboration and live performance skills. 

The course covers musical knowledge, music performance, music composition, aural and theory. Students will study and investigate different genres of music and the contexts in which music is created. Students will perform as a soloist and in a group developing instrumental techniques and performance skills. They will develop their aural skills and study music theory. Students will also create original music using music applications. 

This practical course focuses on dance as non-verbal communication. Ākonga learn performance skills in a sharing and supportive environment. You will meet the Dance elements and use them to choreograph and create. The course develops self-discipline, responsibility and group skills of offering, accepting and negotiating.

This course involves students learning a range of different practical skills using the sewing machine and other equipment while working through design-based and practical projects. These projects include:

• Textile art with felt - developing a creative felt flower

• Creative cushions - developing their machine skills to produce a cushion that reflects their culture

• Something old, something new- use a commercial pattern to design to make their own Pyjama pants and then upcycle an old Tshirt to give it new life

This course involves students investigating the properties of different hard materials and learning a range of different practical skills while working through a series of small design-based and practical projects. These projects include:

• Students designing, testing and racing a co2 powered dragster

• The computer aided design and manufacture of a Chocolate Mold

• Design and Visual Communication skills

The food and nutrition course is designed to develop their cookery skills, encourage students to explore different types of foods and investigate their nutritional benefits.There are two main projects assessed during the semester:

• Tikanga Tunu Kai: covers food safety and hygiene practices, room procedures as well as identifying cookery equipment and how to use these safely.

•  You are what you eat: Students will investigate nutrition for adolescent development and learn how to create meals following ministry guidelines.

• Pies for Kai: Builds on the previous topics, tying together what they have learned to develop a healthier pie.

The Visual Art course at year 9 is suitable for students of all backgrounds, with any amount of prior knowledge and for all ability levels. Painting and drawing projects develop students’ creativity as well as their manual skills in basic image-making and media related techniques. The course also develops a general knowledge of the history of Art.

9TDT offers a course that will teach students the basics of computer science, and the effective use of computers. Primarily aimed at students who will use computers professionally in the workforce, this course covers the use of applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.  Additionally, the 9TDT course will introduce design and colour theory as students learn the basics of photo manipulation.

Students will investigate the history of computer game development and will learn to build a game using Scratch, before moving into web programming in HTML and Javascript. This course prepares students for further study in computer programming, first in Year 10 CPT, then throughout NCEA.

The course is designed to ensure all students are prepared for NCEA and to be lifelong learners. Students learn to process and present ideas with understanding and confidence. Exposure to a variety of rich texts, development of writing ski8lls for different purposes and a range of assessment opportunities ensure students become effective oral, written and visual communicators. Assessment and feedback are designed to meet student need and clearly monitor progress against the New Zealand curriculum.

This course is designed to develop student’s understanding of Mathematics and Statistics. The topics covered during the year include Number, Measurement, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics and Probability. AsTTle testing, classroom assessments and end of year examinations are used to diagnose students learning needs and to prepare them for NCEA.

Social Studies helps students to understand the world in which they live. It teaches the fundamental concepts of culture, environment, economics and politics. These all contribute to students becoming knowledgeable and responsible members of society. Topics are skills and concept based allowing students to transfer their knowledge to all areas of their life. The course provide a sound background for senior Social Science subjects like History, Geography, Classical Studies, Accounting and Economics.

Health and Physical education focuses on the well-being of the students themselves, of other people, and of society. Through learning and by accepting challenges in health related and movement contexts, students reflect on the nature of wellbeing and how to promote it. The key learning areas covered are: physical activity, sport studies, outdoor education, interpersonal skills, mental health, drug education, sexuality education, body care and decision making.

This is a practical course that challenges the student’s views about the living, physical and material aspects of our world.  They will develop skills in literacy, numeracy and be able to carry out investigations on their own. The eight topics covered give students a solid base to succeed in courses in Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in subsequent year. Assessments in Year 10 reflect the variety of assessment types that students will encounter in NCEA.

This course uses both traditional and digital media skills to investigate and solve specific photography and design problems that will be extended in the senior courses of 11APH (Photography) and 11ADS (Art-Design). The projects include photography, logo design and illustration. 

This course concentrates on the traditional Art areas of drawing and painting. In the different projects, students will study and emulate aspects of the style of artist models. Skills learnt in this course will be required for the senior courses; 11ART (Painting) and 11ADS (Art-Design). 

This course includes traditional draughting skills, problem solving and how to communicate those solutions in an appropriate manner.

This course builds on previous skills. This is a practical course covering improvisation, story-telling and short scripts as well as promoting group skills, confidence and performance skills.

This practical course further develops the dance choreography and performance skills.  This is a fun, physical course promoting group work, communication and confidence.

Through the design and manufacture of simple projects, this course offers students the opportunity to explore in more depth areas such as component symbols and characteristics, simple circuits and circuit design.

Food plays a big part in the daily lives of humans and therefore it is important to investigate and study its role, effects and use. Students will develop skills and knowledge around food, including nutrition. Students will develop their own Food Product.

This course covers music knowledge (the study of music elements within different styles of music), solo and group performances, aural skills, theory and music composition.

The focus of this course is on developing student confidence to efficiently and effectively use a range of computer skills. Students will use and apply digital tools, concepts and skills for the management and presentation of information using a range of programmes. They will explore communication through the use of digital media and develop the ability to create and publish a digital media product.

This practical course provides an introduction into Computer Programming. It involves computer game creation, following a technological process through Scratch programming, application design and developing websites using JavaScript, HTML. and CSS languages.

This is an introduction to accounting involving the use of computer technology. Students apply word processing, spreadsheet and data base programmes to process business transactions and data. This course leads to accounting at senior levels.

Students are introduced to a range of Sport Science subjects including Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biomechanics, Motor Skill Learning and Fitness principles. A combination of theory and practical sessions will develop students understanding of these concepts. A strong focus is placed on the language of Physical Education in order to prepare students for NCEA Level 1 PED.

Students design and make projects using a variety of materials including wood, metal, bone, stained glass and thermoplastic, and using some portable electric tools and wood-working machinery.  The course also includes the study of the materials and tools used to construct their projects.

This course will enable students to gain an insight into the world of business.  Students explore the key elements of successful enterprises with a focus on the role of the entrepreneur.  The importance of innovation, creativity, risk management, and ‘can-do’ attitude and drive required to make ideas happen are investigated.  At the conclusion of the course students will require enthusiasm, motivation and a willingness to work with others as they produce a marketable product.  This course leads to Economics and Business Studies at senior levels.

Students are given the opportunity to develop skills in the planning, preparation and development of textile items. They will explore the variety of uses fabric and textiles have in the current material and technological world. The ‘Clothes Shop’ is the major unit of work which allows students to work as part of a group or team. It is a fun and rewarding course for students that give them an insight into the fashion and retail industry.